Getting HDMI picture and sound on the 4gig XBOX 360??...

[dave4shmups]

I got one of these, and the VGA kit from Microsoft, and that's how it's hooked up to my HDTV. But I cannot figure out how to get both picture and sound out with an HDMI cable on this 360. I get a picture on my HDTV, but no sound-and the end of the AV inputs into the 4gig 360 is too big to plug in both an HDMI cable, and the AV cables for sound.

I've searched on GameStop, but, AFIK, there's no way to get around this. Is it just due to the "type" of HDTV that I own-that it won't output both picture and sound through just an HDMI cable? (I did have to use both with the slim PS3, BUT I was able to plug in both HDMI and AV cables to the PS3.)

[StarCreator]

For best results you need an audio-only breakout for the A/V connector if you want separate audio output while using HDMI - Microsoft makes one (included when you get their HDMI kit which is basically an HDMI cable for 10x more than it is worth) and I think DealExtreme has a clone of MS's adapter for much cheaper. You might also be able to remove the casing from a composite (non-HD) A/V cable.

But, what kind of TV do you have that doesn't handle the audio component in HDMI?

[dieKatze88]

For best results you need an audio-only breakout for the A/V connector if you want separate audio output while using HDMI - Microsoft makes one (included when you get their HDMI kit which is basically an HDMI cable for 10x more than it is worth) and I think DealExtreme has a clone of MS's adapter for much cheaper. You might also be able to remove the casing from a composite (non-HD) A/V cable.

But, what kind of TV do you have that doesn't handle the audio component in HDMI?

Might be a computer monitor. Some will not take audio via DVI or HDMI.

[StarCreator]

Might be a computer monitor. Some will not take audio via DVI or HDMI.

True, but you shouldn't call a monitor an HDTV. Just confuses things.

Anyway, this is what I use: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/optical-au ... ngth-47839

[Endymion]

If I understand your setup, you have your 360 connected to your TV via HDMI, and want to move the audio from the TV to your receiver via HDMI?

Try reversing it. Connect your 360 to your receiver and your receiver to your TV, via two HDMI cables. That should certainly work. What kind of lag potential or other weirdness (artifacts, deinterlacing, etc.) your receiver has is another matter. If you want to avoid that then do as Star Creator suggests, use HDMI to get video to your TV and toslink to get audio to your receiver. (The audio-breakaway dongle that was made for the older 360 board is not required for the 360S, see here.) The audio won't be any better through HDMI with this particular system so that's not a bad way to go.

[dave4shmups]

It's an Olevia HDTV, and I don't have a receiver because I only use it for my 360. I got an awesome deal on it from a trusted friend who upgraded to a better HDTV. I'll have to get one of those kits, either from MS, or the other one. The games do still look awesome, despite the fact that I'm using the MS VGA kit. But since I've got an HD console, I want to get the most out of it, in terms of graphics.

Do you guys thing MicroCenter would have anything that I need? We are blessed (and I mean BLESSED!) to have one here in Denver.

I'll try the HDMI cable one more time, and make sure that the TV is on the HDMI input "channel". Thanks for the advice!

[antron]

I had a problem with audio over HDMI with a slim 360 when displaying in 1080p. When I lowered the resolution the audio worked. It ended up being the ultra cheep HDMI cable. When I got a $20 one everything worked.

[Endymion]

Well that's weird because it should definitely Just Work(tm) if you are only plugging HDMI directly to your TV. So yeah maybe a crap cable is the real problem. Take a look at your TV's manual also to be sure of any audio setting for input. But don't get the HDMI kit, or the audio dongle. You don't need it unless you require coaxial for audio. Your 360S already has audio out via HDMI or toslink. Most folks used the old dongle for toslink and your 360S has this built in, so no need to use the dongle unless you need coax.

[dave4shmups]

Well that's weird because it should definitely Just Work(tm) if you are only plugging HDMI directly to your TV. So yeah maybe a crap cable is the real problem. Take a look at your TV's manual also to be sure of any audio setting for input. But don't get the HDMI kit, or the audio dongle. You don't need it unless you require coaxial for audio. Your 360S already has audio out via HDMI or toslink. Most folks used the old dongle for toslink and your 360S has this built in, so no need to use the dongle unless you need coax.

I don't have the manual for my HDTV, but I can find the model # and look it up online. Today, when I went to choose between the different input options-there was no HDMI listed on screen; the closest was DVI. But there is an HDMI port on the thing. Now I'm confused!

This TV DOES have a coax port, but I didn't use that for audio when I had a PS3-I just hooked up the HDMI cable, and an audio cable (one of the ends of the AV cables that came with the PS3), and everything was fine.

[antron]

I don't have the manual for my HDTV, but I can find the model # and look it up online. Today, when I went to choose between the different input options-there was no HDMI listed on screen; the closest was DVI. But there is an HDMI port on the thing. Now I'm confused!

it's the same data protocol, but the DVI does not support audio. it looks like you have a DVI capable TV with a built in HDMI connection adapter.

[StarCreator]

I'll have to ask a friend who owns an Olevia, but most likely the labeling as DVI is just laziness on the part of the menu programmer. It SHOULD provide the accompanying audio, but do try dropping the resolution lower if you don't get any.

Also, make sure the 360 is actually configured to output audio over the HDMI cable.

[dave4shmups]

I'll have to ask a friend who owns an Olevia, but most likely the labeling as DVI is just laziness on the part of the menu programmer. It SHOULD provide the accompanying audio, but do try dropping the resolution lower if you don't get any.

Also, make sure the 360 is actually configured to output audio over the HDMI cable.

You're right, it is DVI. I'll see if the 360 is configured to output audio over the HDMI cable. I would think it would be right out of the box.

[antron]

I found this:
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=631109

I had the same issue the first time I turned on my new replacement xbox and I have solved it. Yes it is the "handshake" in a manner of speaking. If you go into the Display settings there is an option called "Display Discovery" which is apparently turned on by default. If you're running through a AVR, Surround Sound, a HDMI switch, or if your TV is just goofy, this discovery will not be able to complete the handshake with The TV as it does not have that direct connection. For whatever reason, Microsoft decided in this scenario that the best thing to do is default to DVI mode...WRONG. Anyway, just turn this feature off, it will tell you it needs to restart, do the restart, and you should hear the warm, comforting "vwoing" sound we are all so used to hearing, and it should default to 1080p. You may have to turn your Audio settings back to Dolby Digital after this change. I think I did.

[dave4shmups]

I found this:
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=631109

I had the same issue the first time I turned on my new replacement xbox and I have solved it. Yes it is the "handshake" in a manner of speaking. If you go into the Display settings there is an option called "Display Discovery" which is apparently turned on by default. If you're running through a AVR, Surround Sound, a HDMI switch, or if your TV is just goofy, this discovery will not be able to complete the handshake with The TV as it does not have that direct connection. For whatever reason, Microsoft decided in this scenario that the best thing to do is default to DVI mode...WRONG. Anyway, just turn this feature off, it will tell you it needs to restart, do the restart, and you should hear the warm, comforting "vwoing" sound we are all so used to hearing, and it should default to 1080p. You may have to turn your Audio settings back to Dolby Digital after this change. I think I did.

Interesting. Well, I changed the resolution and still no sound-but the different resolution looks just as sharp with the VGA kit as it does with the HDMI cable. So, I guess I could try buying a new HDMI cable, but I don't think I will at this point.

[antron]

I changed the resolution

but did you change the "display discovery" option?